Animal Species:Highcrown Seahorse, Hippocampus procerus Kuiter, 2001

The Highcrown Seahorse can be recognised by a combination of characters that include a high, backward-directed coronet with five moderate-sized, sharp spines on the apex. The species is endemic to Australia.

Standard Common Name

Highcrown Seahorse

Identification

The Highcrown Seahorse can be recognised by a combination of characters that include a high, backward-directed coronet with five moderate-sized, sharp spines on the apex. There are low spines on then 'neck' behind the head and usually one spine under the head between the eye and 'neck'. It is yellowish ventrally and brownish with dark scribbles dorsally. The snout is dusky to yellowish with white flecks and spots.

Size range

The Highcrown Seahorse grows to 11 cm in length.

Distribution

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Kuiter, R H. 2001. Revision of the Australian seahorses of the genus Hippocampus (Syngnathiformes: Syngnathidae) with descriptions of nine new species. Records of the Australian Museum. 53(3): 293-340.